Rabat – In an address to the World Climate Action Summit on December 1st, King Mohammed VI called for a paradigm shift in global climate negotiations, urging leaders to abandon incremental approaches and embrace a bold Pact for Action.
The monarch’s speech, delivered during the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, underscored the urgency of addressing the escalating challenges of climate change.
“The conclusions of the First Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement attest to a universal momentum around the climate issue,” he said. “Nevertheless, adaptation efforts remain fragmented, incremental and unevenly distributed across regions, particularly those most vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change.”
The monarch highlighted the limitations of incremental measures, arguing that “half-measures cannot be bold measures. Similarly, a partial vision only exacerbates risks, adds to the damage and increases material, natural and human losses.”
He proposed an immediate shift away from the “small steps” approach, calling for the adoption of a bolder Pact for Action, stating: “Thanks to this Pact for Action, humanity can show – through deeds – that the most ambitious goals are not necessarily the least attainable ones.”
King Mohammed VI also renewed Morocco’s commitment to concrete climate initiatives. “Our ambition manifests itself in concrete, precise sectoral actions,” he said. “It is expressed through detailed, verifiable Action Plans for adaptation, mitigation and decarbonization.”
He emphasized Morocco’s vision of regional integration through renewable energy, green hydrogen development, and the upcoming 2023 football World Cup.
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The Moroccan monarch went on to address the inequitable distribution of climate financing, highlighting Africa’s ecological plight as the continent suffers disproportionately from climate change. “In a global system that remains inequitable, Africa received USD 30 billion in annual climate financing flows in 2020, representing less than 12% of its needs,” the King noted.
Urging reform in multilateralism and development financing, King Mohammed VI asserted Morocco’s commitment to supporting African climate initiatives.
He notably advocated for middle-income countries, saying: “For these countries – including my own, the Kingdom of Morocco – I call for specific, more sustained attention on the part of the international community.”
On the political front, the King warned against conflicting interests with populist overtones.
“Conflicting interests – with, at times, populist overtones – which favor short-term results are eroding credible multilateral action and jeopardizing the future of upcoming generations.”
The monarch concluded his remarks by reiterating Morocco’s commitment to proactive climate action, pledging to remain at the forefront of both advocacy and tangible solutions.
